Method for removing wallpaper

ABSTRACT

a method for removing wallpaper involving the employment of a composition comprising a surfactant, a polyhydric alcohol humectant, an organic solvent and water.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/314,207 filed Sep. 28,1994, now abandoned which is a continuation of application Ser. No.08/021,125, filed Feb. 23, 1993, now abandoned.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to wallpaper remover. In particular, the presentinvention relates to wallpaper remover comprising at least onesurfactant, at least one humectant and a major portion water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are generally three different types of wallpaper. The first andsimplest type of wallpaper consists solely of a paper backing. Thesecond type of wallpaper comprises a paper backing and a vinylic oracrylic layer coated over the paper backing thereby rendering the paperbacking waterproof. A third type of wallpaper is a composite designwherein a vinyl film is laminated onto a paper or fabric backing.

Wallpaper is adhered to a substrate by applying a layer of adhesiveand/or paste to either the substrate or the wallpaper and then applyingthe wallpaper to the substrate. Commonly, pastes such as a mixture ofwheat paste and molasses or adhesives based on acrylics, methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, starch or mixtures thereof areutilized to secure the wallpaper to the substrate.

Although these adhesives amply secure the wallpaper to the substrate,often it is desirable to remove the wallpaper from the substrate. Forexample, one may want to repaint the substrate or apply a new wallpaperto the substrate. Because of the wallpaper's tendency to strongly adhereto a substrate, the removal of wallpaper can cause much consternation.The adhesive can transfer to the substrate thus making it necessary toremove the adhesive after the backing has been removed or the adhesionof the adhesive can increase with age thereby increasing the physicallabor necessary to remove the wallpaper.

A number of attempts have been made to overcome these problems. Oneattempt has been to physically remove the wallpaper by applying water ora softening liquid which incorporates water to the wallpaper and thenpeeling and/or scraping the wallpaper from the substrate. It istheorized that the water acts as an agent to soften the adhesive and/orpaste. Once the water or softening liquid has penetrated the wallpaper,the removal of the wallpaper is relatively easy. However, getting thewater or softening liquid to the adhesive is not an easy task becausethe water has a tendency to run off the wallpaper.

In an attempt to maintain better contact of the water and/or thesoftening liquid with the wallpaper, gels have been utilized to resistdisplacement of the softening liquid. Although such gels have been usedwith some success, the removal of the wallpaper, nonetheless, has provento be tiresome and difficult.

Another attempt to increase the contact of water with the wallpaper isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,526 which describes a method ofapplying a vapor barrier to the wallpaper to prevent a softening liquidcontacting the wallpaper from evaporating thereby maintaining continuouscontact between the liquid and the wallpaper until the wallpaper issoftened.

Another method of increasing water penetration has been to utilizesteamers which direct steam into the wallpaper. However, the steamersare heavy, drip and can cause skin burns.

The problem of increasing water penetration is amplified when thewallpaper has been painted over or when the paper-backing has beenrendered waterproof. In essence, the paint layer or the waterproof layeracts a barrier to the wallpaper by hindering penetration of the waterthus preventing the softening of the adhesive.

A common method of overcoming this additional problem has been to scoreand scrub the wallpaper with a wire brush in order to break the surfaceof the wallpaper thereby allowing penetration of the water into thepaper.

Another method of increasing the penetration of water on such surfaceshas been to include the use of surfactants in the liquid compositions.The surfactants are mixed with the water and/or softening liquid priorto application to the substrate. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,773and U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,175 disclose wallpaper removers utilizing water,surfactants and enzyme compositions containing carbohydrase orcarbohydrase with a protease. Additionally, a liquid containing anactivator for the enzyme composition and a solvent for reducing the rateof evaporation are employed. Suitable solvents include glycerine andalcohols such as isopropyl alcohol. However, these methods utilizingsurfactants have proven to be less than successful because thesurfactant/water mixtures are so thin that they run down the wallpapersurface rather than penetrating into the wallpaper.

To hinder the flow of the softening liquids, thickeners have beenemployed. U.K. Patent Application No. 2,058,122A utilizes a thickenersuch as methyl cellulose with an organic solvent such as a glycol ether,water and a wetting agent, i.e., the surfactant. Another example of theuse of thickeners is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,274,884 whichutilizes a thickener with an organic compound capable of plasticizing aplastics resin, an emulsifying agent and a minor portion of water, i.e,less than 27.5 weight percent. German Patent No. 1,806,026 describes amixture containing the following components: (1) water, (2) a waterinsoluble organic solvent, (3) an emulsifier, (4) a thickening agent and(5) a paraffin.

It has now been found that a wallpaper remover which has an increasedpropensity to penetrate the wallpaper and ability to soak the underlyingadhesive and/or paste can comprise a surfactant(s), a humectant(s) and amajor portion water. It has been found that there is no need to utilizean enzyme with wallpaper remover of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a water-based composition capable ofremoving wallpaper. The composition comprises a mixture which includesat least one surfactant, at least one humectant and a major portionwater present in an amount sufficient for the composition to beeffective in removing wallpaper. For the purposes of this application,major portion is understood to be more than half.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition caninclude an organic solvent and/or a thickener.

The present invention also includes a method of use for the compositionof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention comprises a sufficient amount of at least onesurfactant, at least one humectant and water in a major portion in anamount sufficient to soften wallpaper adhesive so that wallpaper can beremoved.

A humectant is added to the composition to ensure that water is absorbedinto and through the wallpaper. Humectants are defined as substancesthat absorb or retain water. Preferred humectants include dihydric andpolyhydric alcohols. Examples of suitable polyhydric alcohols includeglycerin, propylene glycol and polyglycols such as polyethylene glycoland polypropylene glycol. In addition, modified glycosides such asmethyl glucoside commercially available as Glucquat 125 from AmercholCorporation, Edison, N.J. can be utilized.

A surfactant is added to the composition to stabilize the compositionand to act as a wetting agent. Any surfactant which can maintainstability and be used as a wetting agent can be utilized although it ispreferred that anionic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants be utilized.Suitable nonionic surfactants include ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylatedalkyl phenols, fluorinated alkyl esters and sorbitan derivatives such assorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. Examples ofanionic surfactants which can be utilized include sulfates such asammonium lauryl sulfate, sulfonates such as alkyl aryl sulfonate,sulfosuccinates such as dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccininc acid,sarcosine derivatives such as oleoyl sarcosine, fatty acids, fatty acidsderivatives and phosphate esters. Suitable amphoteric surfactantsinclude sultaine, betaine and their derivatives such as cocoamidopropylhydroxysultaine.

It is preferred to add thickeners to the composition of the presentinvention in order to stabilize the composition and provide good flowcontrol. For example, the presence of a thickening agent allows thecomposition to be applied easily, level out and have the ability tocling to vertical surfaces.

Suitable thickening agents include gums such as xanthan and guar, locustbean, alginates, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, starches, clayderivatives, such as amine treated magnesium aluminum silicate,cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and waxes,e.g., amidized waxes, castor oil derivatives.

If desired, organic solvents can be also added to the composition.Particular classes of organic solvents that can be used include, but arenot limited to, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as mineral spirits,monohydric alcohols such as benzyl alcohol and ethanol, esters such aspropylene carbonate, ketones and aromatic hydrocarbons. An especiallypreferred group of esters includes a group of aliphatic acid estersknown as dibasic acid esters. Dibasic acid esters can include aliphaticdiesters having a molecular weight up to about 200. More than onedibasic ester can be used in the composition of this invention. Thesediesters are well known in the art and are commercially available asDuPont Dibasic Esters (DBEs), sold by the E.I. du Pont Nemours and Co.Dibasic esters that are preferred for the composition of the presentinvention are esters from adipic acid (COOH(CH₂)₄ COOH), glutaric acid(COOH(CH₂)₃ COOH) and succinic acid (COOH(CH₂)₂ COOH). Dimethyl esters,diethyl esters, diisopropyl esters and diisobutyl esters of these acidscan be used effectively in the composition of this invention.

Other additives can also be added if desired. Examples of the additiveswhich can be added include, but are not limited to, preservatives,fragrances and colorants. If desired, colorants such as pigments, i.e.,iron oxide pigments, and dyes, i.e., oil soluble dyes can be added.

The amounts and types of the ingredients in the composition varyaccording to use. For optimum results, the composition comprises fromabout 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of a humectant(s), from about0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of a surfactant(s), from 0 up to about10 percent by weight of an organic solvent(s), from 0 up to about 10percent by weight thickener(s) and the remainder water. More preferably,the composition comprises from about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight ofa humectant(s), from about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight of asurfactant(s), from 0 up to about 10 percent by weight of an organicsolvent(s), from 0 up to about 3.5 percent by weight of thickener(s) andthe remainder water. Most preferably, the composition comprises fromabout 2 to about 4 percent by weight of a humectant(s), from about 2 toabout 4 percent by weight of a surfactant(s), from 2 up to about 5percent by weight of an organic solvent(s), from about 1 to about 3percent by weight thickener and the remainder water. In addition, itshould be understood that the compositions of the present invention aresubstantially free of enzyme. By substantially free, it is understoodthat the amount of enzyme is less than 2 percent by weight.

The composition of this invention can be prepared in a number of ways. Apreferred method includes first mixing water with humectant andsurfactant with a high shear mixer. If desired, a thickener is slowlysifted into the composition. The composition is mixed until it ishomogenous.

The composition can be applied to wallpaper in any conventional mannersuch as by brush, roller, or by spraying the composition onto thewallpaper. However, it should be coated onto the substrate in an amountsufficient to permit adequate soaking and penetration of the wallpaper.The amount of composition applied varies according to use and can betailored to the user's preference. After application, the compositionpenetrates into the wallpaper, softening the wallpaper adhesive so thatthe wallpaper is easily removed by either scraping or peeling.

The following examples are set forth to illustrate this invention andare not intended to limit the scope of this invention thereof.

EXAMPLES

Test Samples

Wallpaper was applied per package directions onto Spreading Rate Charts(Form 8H-BW, 111/4"×17 1/4", The Leneta Company, Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.). Thesamples were dried for 16 hours at ambient conditions, then cured at160° F. for 72 hours prior to testing.

Painted wallpaper samples were prepared as above, except one coat ofAccent Color™ Latex flat paint from General Paint & Chemical Co.,Division of Cotter & Company, Gary Ind, was applied over the ambientdried wallpaper, and dried an additional 24 hours prior to heat curing.

Test Methods

Wallpaper Removal

Wallpaper remover was applied to the surface of the wallpaper samples.Removal was tested by rubbing the wallpaper with a wooden tonguedepressor for 15 seconds using firm pressure. Testing was conductedevery 5 minutes except for vinyl coated Borden™ Wallpaper which wasconducted every 30 seconds. The time was recorded when the wallpaper wasfully loosened and removed from the substrate.

Example 1

The test sample of Example 1 was prepared in the following manner:

1.62 grams of Hectabrite™ DP, bentonite, commercially available fromAmerican Colloid Company, Arlington Heights, Ill. was mixed with 30.0grams of deionized water using a high shear mixer. Added, in order, were63.38 grams of deionized water, 1.0 gram glycerin, 99.7% commerciallyavailable from Witco, 0.28 grams Tween™ 80, polysorbate 80 commerciallyavailable from ICI Specialty Chemicals, Wilmington Del., 0.22 gramsSpan™ 80, sorbitan monooleate from ICI Specialty Chemicals, Wilmington,Del., 2.0 grams DBE3, dimethyl adipate commercially available fromDuPont, Wilmington, Del., 1.0 grams Methocel™ J12MS, hydroxypropylcellulose, commercially available from the Dow Chemical Company,Midland, Mich., and 0.5 grams Rhodopol™ 23, xanthan gum, commerciallyavailable from RT Vanderbilt Company, Norwalk Conn. The composition wasmixed until homogeneous. The ingredients used, the weight percentage ofthe ingredients and test results (reported as the time for wallpaperremoval in minutes) are reported in Table 1.

Examples 2-8

These examples, all of which were prepared in accordance with themethods described in Example 1, illustrate various compositions foundwithin the scope of the present invention. Examples 2-10 varied in thatdifferent ingredients and different weight percentages of theingredients were used. The ingredients used, the weight percentage ofthe ingredients and test results (reported as the time for wallpaperremoval in minutes) are reported in Table 1.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________             Example 1                                                                          Example 2                                                                          Example 3                                                                          Example 4                                                                          Example 5                                                                          Example 6                                                                          Example 7                                                                          Example 8                         __________________________________________________________________________    Hectabrite ™ DP                                                                     1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.62                              Methocel ™ J12MS                                                                    1.00 0.50 0.60 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.40 0.40                              Rhodopol ™ 23                                                                       0.50 0.30 0.30 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.20 0.20                              glycerin 1.00 0.50 0.25 4.00 2.25 2.50 2.50 2.50                              Hamposyl ™ O.sup.1                                                                  --   1.00 0.25 4.00 2.25 --   --   --                                Stepanol ™ AMV.sup.2                                                                --   --   --   --   --   2.50 --   --                                Mirataine ™ CBS.sup.3                                                               --   --   --   --   --   --   8.30 --                                Ninate ™ 411.sup.4                                                                  --   --   --   --   --   --   --   2.70                              Tween ™ 80                                                                          0.28 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 --   --   --                                Span ™ 80                                                                           0.22 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 --   --   --                                DBE3     2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00                              water    93.38                                                                              93.98                                                                              94.88                                                                              87.98                                                                              91.33                                                                              90.78                                                                              84.98                                                                              90.58                             Removal time                                                                           25   30   30   15   10   10   10   10                                (min) of vinyl-                                                               coated Eisenhart                                                              wallpaper.sup.5                                                               Removal time                                                                           5    5    7    2    0.5  1    2    1                                 (min) of vinyl-                                                               coated Borden                                                                 Wallpaper.sup.6                                                               __________________________________________________________________________     .sup.1 oleoyl sarcosine, commercially available from WR Grace & Co.,          Nashau, NH.                                                                   .sup.2 ammonium lauryl sulfate, commercially available from Stepan            Company, Northfield, IL.                                                      .sup.3 suitaine, commercially available from Rhone  Poulenc Surfactants &     Specialties, Cranbury, NJ.                                                    .sup.4 amine alkyl aryl sulfonate, commercially available from Stepan         Company, Northfield, IL.                                                      .sup.5 vinylcoated paper, prepasted, style #555, run number K5268 3,          Eisenhart Wallcoverings Co., Hanover, PA.                                     .sup.6 vinylcoated paper, prepasted, pattern WC 554, lot number 42H,          Borden Home Wallcoverings, Borden, Inc., Chemical Division, Columbus, OH.

The test results in Table 1 indicate that the compositions of thepresent invention do provide good removal times for wallpaper.

Example 9-10

Examples 9 and 10 were prepared in accordance with the methods describedin Example 1 and illustrate various compositions found within the scopeof the present invention. Examples 9-10 varied in that differentingredients and different weight percentages of the ingredients wereused. The ingredients used, the weight percentage of the ingredients andtest results (reported as the time for wallpaper removal in minutes) arereported in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                                         Example 9                                                                              Example 10                                          ______________________________________                                        Hectabrite ™ DP                                                                             1.62     2.00                                                Methocel ™ 0 J12MS                                                                          0.30     0.50                                                Rhodopol ™ 23 0.15     0.25                                                polyethylene     1.00     --                                                  glycol 200.sup.1                                                              propylene        --       2.50                                                glycol.sup.2                                                                  Hamposyl ™ O  1.00     2.50                                                Tween ™ 80    0.08     --                                                  Span ™ 80     0.07     --                                                  DBE3             2.00     2.00                                                water            93.78    90.25                                               Removal time     30       5                                                   (min) of vinyl                                                                coated                                                                        Eisenhart                                                                     wallpaper                                                                     Removal time     1        1                                                   (min) of vinyl                                                                coated Borden ™                                                            Wallpaper                                                                     ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Polyethylene glycol 200, commercially available as Polyglycol E200     ™ from the Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI.                              .sup.2 commercially available from the Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI.

The test results indicate that the compositions of the present inventiondo provide good wallpaper removal times.

Examples 11-15

Examples 11-15 were prepared in accordance with the methods described inExample 1 and illustrate the use of different weight ratios of solvents.The ingredients used, the weight percentage of the ingredients and testresults (reported as the time for wallpaper removal in minutes) arereported in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                                   Exam- Exam-   Exam-   Exam- Exam-                                             ple 11                                                                              ple 12  ple 13  ple 14                                                                              ple 15                                 ______________________________________                                        Hectabrite ™ DP                                                                         1.62    1.62    1.62  1.62  1.62                                 Methocel ™ J12MS                                                                        0.40    0.40    0.40  0.40  0.30                                 Rhodopol ™ 23                                                                           0.20    0.20    0.20  0.15  0.15                                 glycerin     2.50    2.50    2.50  1.00  2.00                                 Hamposyl ™ O                                                                            2.50    2.50    2.50  1.00  2.00                                 Tween ™ 80                                                                              --      --      --    0.06  0.08                                 Span ™ 80 --      --      --    0.04  0.07                                 DBE3         0.10    5.00    10.00 --    --                                   waler        92.68   87.78   82.78 95.73 93.78                                Removal time (min)                                                                         10      5       5     25    20                                   of vinyl-coated                                                               Eisenhart wallpaper                                                           Removal time (min)                                                                         2       0.5     0.5   6     3                                    of vinyl-coated                                                               Borden ™ Wallpaper                                                         ______________________________________                                    

The test results indicated in Table 3 indicate that compositions of thepresent invention do provide good removal times for wallpaper.

Examples 16-22

Examples 16-22 were prepared in accordance with the methods described inExample 1 and illustrate the use of different solvents and their weightratios. The ingredients used, the weight percentage of the ingredientsand test results (reported as the time for wallpaper removal in minutes)are reported in Table 4.

                                      TABLE 4                                     __________________________________________________________________________                 Example 16                                                                          Example 17                                                                          Example 18                                                                          Example 19                                                                          Example 20                                                                          Example 21                                                                          Example                      __________________________________________________________________________                                                     22                           Hectabrite ™ DP                                                                         2.00  2.00  2.00  2.00  2.00  2.00  2.00                         Methocel ™ J12MS                                                                        0.40  0.40  0.40  0.40  0.40  0.40  0.40                         glycerin     2.50  2.50  2.50  2.50  2.50  2.50  2.50                         Hamposyl ™ O                                                                            2.50  2.50  2.50  2.50  2.50  2.50  2.50                         Mineral Spirits.sup.1                                                                      2.00  --    --    --    --    --    --                           Benzyl alcohol.sup.2                                                                       --    2.00  --    --    --    --    --                           dimethyl succinate.sup.3                                                                   --    --    2.00  --    --    --    --                           DBE-IB.sup.4 --    --    --    2.00  --    --    --                           Aromatic 150.sup.5                                                                         --    --    --    --    2.00  --    --                           propylene carbonate.sup.6                                                                  --    --    --    --    --    2.00  --                           methyl ethyl ketone.sup.7                                                                  --    --    --    --    --    --    2.00                         water        90.60 90.60 90.60 90.60 90.60 90.60 90.60                        Removal time (min) of vinyl-                                                               10    5     5     5     5     10    5.00                         coated Eisenhart wallpaper                                                    Removal time (min) of vinyl-                                                               1.0   0.5   0.5   0.5   0.5   1.0   0.5                          coated Borden ™ Wallpaper                                                  __________________________________________________________________________     .sup.1 commercially available from Exxon Chemical Company, Houston, TX.       .sup.2 commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company, Milwaukee,       WI.                                                                           .sup.3 commercially available as DBE4 from DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware       .sup.4 a blend of diisobutyl esters of adipic, glutaric & succinic acids,     available from DuPont.                                                        .sup.5 an aromatic hydrocarbon blend commercially available from Exxon        Chemical Company, Houston, TX.                                                .sup.6 commercially available as Arconate HP, Arco Chemical Company,          Newtown Square, PA.                                                           .sup.7 commercially available from the Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury     Conn.                                                                    

The test results indicate that compositions of the present invention doprovide good wallpaper removal times when different organic solvents areused.

Comparative Example 1

The test sample of Comparative Example 1 was prepared according to thedirections outlined in Example B in U.K. Patent Application No.2,058,122A. The test sample was prepared by mixing 39 grams of Hi Sol10, an aromatic blend commercially available from the Ashland ChemicalCompany, Columbus, Ohio, 155.5 grams deionized water, 1.6 grams Neodol25-7, a C₁₂ -C₁₅ linear alcohol ethoxylate, commercially available fromthe Shell Chemical Company, and 3.9 grams of Methocel™ A4M, methylcellulose, commercially available from Dow Chemical Company, Midland,Mich. The composition was mixed until homogeneous. The test results(reported as the time for wallpaper removal in minutes) are reported inTable 5.

Comparative Example 2

Comparative Example 2 examined the ability of DIF Wallpaper Stripper™,commercially available prepared from William Zinsser & Company, Inc.,Somerset, N.J. The composition of the concentrate is the subject of U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,067,773 and 4,092,175 and contains enzyme, dipropyleneglycol methyl ether, water, surfactant and propylene glycol. The testsample was prepared in accordance with package directions by mixing10.15 grams of concentrate in 4 ounces (118 ml.) of hot tap water. Thetest results (reported as the time for wallpaper removal in minutes) arereported in Table 5.

Comparative Example 3

Comparative Example 3 examined the ability of Dissolve™ WallpaperRemover, commercially available from Decorator Products, Inc., ShawneeMission, Kans., to remove wallpaper. The test sample was prepared inaccordance with package directions by mixing 1.87 grams of concentratein 4 ounces (118 ml.) of hot tap water. The test results (reported asthe time for wallpaper removal in minutes) are reported in Table 5.

Comparative Example 4

Comparative Example 4 examined the ability of Sherwin-Williams™Wallpaper Remover, distributed by the Sherwin-Williams Company,Cleveland, Ohio, to remove wallpaper. The test sample was prepared inaccordance with package directions by mixing 1.4 grams of concentrate in4 ounces (118 ml.) of hot tap water. The test results (reported as thetime for wallpaper removal in minutes) are reported in Table 5.

Comparative Example 5

Comparative Example 5 examined the ability of Wallcovering Remover™,commercially available from Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill. toremove wallpaper. The composition of the concentrate comprisesoctylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, alkylarylpolyether alcohol, defoamerand water. The test sample was prepared in accordance with packagedirections by mixing 1.87 grams of concentrate in 4 ounces (118 ml.) ofhot tap water. The test results (reported as the time for wallpaperremoval in minutes) are reported in Table 5.

Comparative Example 6

Comparative Example 6 examined the ability of Easyoff WallpaperRemover™, commercially available from KleanStrip, a division of W. M.Barr Inc., Memphis, Tenn. to remove wallpaper. The composition of theconcentrate comprised nonylphenoxypolyethoxy ethanol, isopropyl alcoholand ethanol. The test sample was prepared in accordance with packagedirections by mixing 2.5 grams of concentrate in 4 ounces (118 ml.) ofhot tap water. The test results (reported as the time for wallpaperremoval in minutes) are reported in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                                   C1    C2       C3   C4     C5   C6                                 ______________________________________                                        Removal time                                                                              5    3        2    1      2    3                                  (min)                                                                         vinyl-coated                                                                  paper.sup.1                                                                   Removal time                                                                             30    15       10   5      10   15                                 (min)                                                                         vinyl-coated                                                                  paper.sup.2                                                                   Removal time                                                                             10    5        15   15     5    5                                  (min)                                                                         vinyl paper.sup.3                                                             Removal time                                                                             35    20       20   15     15   25                                 (min)                                                                         painted                                                                       vinyl-coated                                                                  paper.sup.1                                                                   Removal time                                                                             55    >80      >80  >80    >80  >80                                (min)                                                                         plastic                                                                       paper.sup.4                                                                   Removal Time                                                                             40    >60      >60  >60    >60  >60                                (min)                                                                         fabric-                                                                       backed-                                                                       vinyl.sup.5                                                                   ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Viny1coated paper, prepasted, pattern WC 554, lot number 42H,          Borden Home Wallcoverings ™ , Borden, Inc., Chemical Division,             Columbus, OH.                                                                 .sup.2 Viny1coated paper, prepasted, style #555, run number K5268 3,          Eisenhart Wallcoverings Co., Hanover, PA.                                     .sup.3 Paperbacked vinyl, prepasted, pattern RS 8334 03142110, lot number     45, International Wallcoverings, Brampton, Ontario.                           .sup.4 Contact.sup.R  SelfAdhesive Plastic Decorative Covering, pattern       9143 Hart N FLWR, Rubbermaid Incorporated, Wooster, OH.                       .sup.5 Fabricbacked vinyl, Essex Wallcoverings, pattern number 3622672,       run number 4668, Gencorp Polymer Products, Hackensack, NJ. Applied with       ALLPRO.sup.R  professional EXTRA STRENGTH VINYL wallcovering Adhesive 600     ALLPRO.sup.R  Corporation, Tampa, FL.                                    

The test results in Table 5 indicate that the test samples of thecomparative examples were not as effective in removing wallpaper sampleas are the compositions of the present invention. Comparative ExamplesC2 to C6 were unable to remove some types of wallpaper. Example C1 didremove the samples, but times were noticeably slower than the examplesof the present invention.

Examples 23-25

Examples 23-25 were prepared in accordance with the methods described inExample 1 and illustrate various compositions found within the scope ofthe present invention. The ingredients used, the weight percentage ofthe ingredients and test results (reported as the time for wallpaperremoval in minutes) are reported in Table 6.

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                                       Example 23                                                                              Example 24                                                                              Example 25                                 ______________________________________                                        Hectabrite ™ DP                                                                           1.62      1.62      1.62                                       Methocel ™ J12MS                                                                          0.40      0.40      0.40                                       Rhodopol ⊥ 23                                                                           0.20      0.20      0.20                                       glycerin       2.50      2.50      2.50                                       Hamposyl ™ O                                                                              2.50      2.50      2.50                                       DBE3           0.10      2.00      5.0                                        water          92.68     90.78     87.78                                      Removal time (min) of                                                                        2         0.5       0.5                                        vinyl-coated wallpaper.sup.1                                                  Removal time (min) of                                                                        10        5         5                                          vinyl-coated wallpaper.sup.2                                                  Removal time (min) of                                                                        5         5         5                                          vinyl-coated wallpaper.sup.3                                                  Removal time (min) of                                                                        15        10        15                                         painted vinyl wallpaper.sup.1                                                 Removal time (min) of                                                                        60        50        45                                         plastic wallpaper.sup.4                                                       Removal time (min) of fabric                                                                 >70       20        15                                         backed- vinyl wallpaper.sup.5                                                 ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Vinylcoated paper, prepasted, style #555, run number K5268 3,          Eisenhart Wallcoverinqs Co., Hanover, PA.                                     .sup.2 Vinylcoated paper, prepasted, pattern WC 554, lot number 42H,          Borden Home Wallcoverings Borden, Inc., Chemical Division, Columbus, 0H.      .sup.3 Paperbacked vinyl, prepasted, pattern RS 8334 03142110, lot number     45, International Wallcoverings, Brampton, 0ntario.                           .sup.4 Contact.sup.R SelfAdhesive Plastic Decorative Covering, pattern        9143 Hart N FLWR, Rubbermaid Incorporated, Wooster, 0H.                       .sup.5 Fabricbacked vinyl, Essex Wallcoverings, pattern number 3622672,       run number 4668, Gencorp Polymer Products, Hackensack, NJ. Applied with       ALLPRO.sup.R  professional EXTRA STRENGTH VINYL wallcovering Adhesive 600     ALLPRO.sup.R  Corporation, Tampa, FL.                                    

The test results in Table 6 indicate that the compositions of thepresent invention have good wallpaper removal times.

In summary, novel compositions utilized to remove wallpaper has beendescribed. Although specific embodiments and examples have beendisclosed herein, it should be borne in mind that these have beenprovided by way of explanation and illustration and the presentinvention is not limited thereby. Certainly, modifications which arewithin the ordinary skill in the art are considered to lie within thescope of this invention as defined by the following claims including allequivalents.

I claim:
 1. A method of removing wallpaper comprising a layer ofadhesive from a substrate, comprising the following steps:a. providing awater-based composition comprising a surfactant in an amount by weightof about 0, 1 to about 10 percent of the weight of said composition, ahumectant which is a polyhydric alcohol and is present in an amount byweight of about 0.1 to about 10 percent of the weight of saidcomposition, an organic solvent which is selected from the groupconsisting of an ester, an aromatic monohydric alcohol, an aliphatichydrocarbon, a ketone, an aromatic hydrocarbon and a mixture of any twoor more of the foregoing and is present in an amount by weight of up toabout 10 percent of the weight of said composition, and water in anamount of at least about 82.78 percent by weight based on the totalweight of said composition, wherein said mixture is substantially freeof enzyme; b. applying said composition to said substrate and allowingit to remain in contact therewith for a sufficient time to soften ordissolve said adhesive; and c. removing said wallpaper from saidsubstrate.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the humectant is selectedfrom the group consisting of a dihydric alcohol and a glycoside.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 further including at least one thickener selected fromthe group consisting of a clay derivative, a cellulose derivative, a gumand a combination of two or more of the foregoing, and present in atotal amount by weight of up to about 10 percent of the weight of saidcomposition.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said organicsolvent is selected from the group consisting of mineral spirits, benzylalcohol, an aliphatic dibasic acid ester, propylene carbonate and methylethyl ketone.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said organicsolvent is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester.
 6. A method according toclaim 1, wherein said surfactant is an anionic, nonionic or amphotericsurfactant.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said surfactant isa sarcosine derivative.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein saidpolyhydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, apolyethylene glycol and a polypropylene glycol.
 9. A method according toclaim 1, wherein said surfactant is oleoyl sarcosine which is present inan amount by weight of about 2 to about 4 percent based on the totalweight of the composition and said humectant is glycerin which ispresent in an amount by weight of about 2 to about 4 percent based onthe total weight of the composition.
 10. A method according to claim 9,wherein said organic solvent is an aliphatic dibasic acid ester which ispresent in an amount by weight of about 2 to about 5 percent by weight.11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said organic solvent is analiphatic dibasic acid ester, said polyhydric alcohol is glycerin andsaid surfactant is a sarcosine derivative.
 12. A method according toclaim 11, wherein water is present in an amount by weight of at leastabout 85 percent based on the total weight.
 13. A method according toclaim 1, wherein water is present in an amount by weight of at leastabout 85 percent based on the total weight of the composition.